| As school curriculum increases in intensity, it is | | | | reading. |
| more important than ever to foster early literacy | | | | Short Non-Fiction Read-Alouds |
| using read-alouds from a very early age, in order | | | | Easy non-fiction texts such as Pebble Series |
| for children to become independent readers and | | | | published by Capstone make wonderfully short |
| learners. Parents want what is best for their kids, | | | | read-alouds books that are perfect for the |
| but with the stresses of everyday life, many | | | | average preschool and toddler attention span. |
| parents are sacrificing the benefits of read-aloud | | | | Since a lot of learning depends on repetition, these |
| time with their children. | | | | books are perfect. Early non-fiction typically have |
| The Key to Nurturing Read-Aloud Time | | | | two or three sentences making the book both |
| The key to nurturing read-aloud time begins not | | | | informative and interesting. |
| only in developing a sound routine for reading | | | | Read Books You Connect with and Still Do |
| aloud, but also by structuring an ideal period of | | | | There is something magical about reading old |
| sustained, uninterrupted reading time. Start with | | | | favorite classic read-alouds. A caregiver's |
| twenty minutes and build reading time in | | | | excitement can be infectious, which has the |
| increments of five to ten minutes as often as | | | | effect of enhancing the read-aloud time by |
| possible. | | | | making it a very unique and personal time when |
| Dramatize the Read-Aloud Experience | | | | both child and caregiver can relax, snuggle and |
| Don't underestimate the quirky and funny | | | | enjoy read-alouds together. |
| elements of storytelling. Quirky characters and | | | | It's all in the Pictures |
| funny elements can generate a variety of | | | | Pictures are valuable non-verbal text material. Use |
| reactions and funny responses. In fact, you are | | | | them as meeting points between the story and |
| being a good role model by reading books that | | | | the reading experience. Stop a moment and tie |
| you get a kick out of. Stories are meant to be | | | | questions and pictures so as to bring out the |
| acted out and personalized. If you can connect to | | | | story concept. |
| the characters, then acting it out should not be | | | | You know you did something right when your |
| such a big deal. Here are a few tips: | | | | child wants to read his/her favorite read-aloud |
| - Use lots of expression, different voices and | | | | again after you've finished reading it. If you chose |
| sound effects when appropriate. | | | | a book based on your early reading experiences |
| - Read books that play with language such as | | | | and how you nurture early literacy, chances are |
| poetry, tongue twisters, rhymes and riddles. Such | | | | you will have maximized the reading experience |
| books lend themselves to the natural, | | | | to its fullest and will increase the potential for a |
| spontaneous and almost musical elements of | | | | lifelong reader. |